Mary Kuksie Twala

Biography

Mary Kuksie Twala affectionately known as “Mama Mary,” was a revered South African actress whose career spanned over six decades. Born in Soweto, Johannesburg, she began acting in her early twenties and went on to star in acclaimed films like Mapantsula, Sarafina! (as Sarafina’s grandmother), Life, Above All, Beat the Drum, and Leading Lady. On television, she delivered memorable performances in productions such as Generations, Yizo-Yizo, Hopeville (earning a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Africa Movie Academy Awards), Skwizas (winning a SAFTA), Hlala Kwabafileyo, Molo Fish, Ubizo: The Calling, and many more. In 2019, Twala was honored with the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver by the South African Presidency for her extraordinary contributions to the performing arts. Her final, deeply compelling role came in This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection (2019), in which she portrayed Mantoa, a resilient matriarch fighting to preserve her rural Lesotho village. The film earned her widespread accolades and introduced her to new international audiences, including in Beyoncé’s visual album Black Is King, released posthumously in 2020. Twala passed away on 4 July 2020 at age 80. She is remembered as a trailblazer, beloved for her warmth, gravitas, and indelible presence both on screen and off.